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Chapter 29 - Back at it Again!

The head tailor of Heart Kreuz, a woman whose professional composure was rarely ruffled, watched with a clinical, almost unnervingly calm gaze as Katsuki prepared his demonstration. The other assistants in the shop, however, took a few discreet steps back, their expressions a mixture of apprehension and avid curiosity. They had heard whispers, of course, about the explosive newcomer and the almost legendary destruction of his previous custom order.

Katsuki held up his right index finger. He focused, drawing upon his 'Explode' magic, specifically the Incinerate aspect. He wasn't aiming for a large blast, just a controlled, intense manifestation of the azure heat he could now command.

A tiny, brilliant blue flame, no larger than the tip of his finger but radiating an astonishing, almost painful heat, flickered into existence. It didn't waver; it burned with a steady, focused intensity, the air around it shimmering and distorting. The light it cast was pure, almost sterile, and the subtle hiss it emitted was like the sound of a miniature star. Even from several feet away, the tailors could feel the prickle of its unnatural heat on their skin. It was clearly far beyond any mundane flame.

He held it there for a deliberate moment, his crimson eyes locked on the head tailor's, a silent, fiery challenge. "This," Katsuki stated, his voice low and intense, the tiny azure inferno on his fingertip casting dancing blue highlights on his face, "is the kind of heat we're dealing with. Regular basis. Sometimes… a lot more." He let that sink in. "The new gear needs to handle something hotter than this. Significantly hotter. Without melting, without burning through, without turning to ash the second I really cut loose."

He extinguished the flame with a thought, leaving behind only the faint scent of ozone and the lingering image of its impossible blue intensity. He then gestured again towards the pile of Jewel he'd placed on the counter, then to the ruined remains of his first outfit.

"I'm not paying top dollar for something that can't take a bit of a tan," he said, his tone laced with a dangerous sort of understatement. "So, whatever materials you use, whatever enchantments you weave into it, they need to be rated for… extreme thermal overload. Think volcanic core. Think dragon's breath. Think something that would make that little blue spark look like a damn birthday candle."

The head tailor remained silent for a long moment, her gaze unwavering, her fingers tapping a slow, thoughtful rhythm on the polished countertop. The sheer audacity of his demand, the casual way he spoke of wielding temperatures that could melt steel, was… breathtaking. Most clients requested resistance to perhaps a stray fireball or a brush with magical frost. This young man was asking for clothing that could withstand the heart of a forge, or worse.

Finally, she spoke, her voice as cool and precise as ever, though a new, almost excited gleam had entered her eyes. "Dragon's breath, you say? Volcanic core?" A rare, thin smile touched her lips. "Bakugo-san, you are not merely seeking clothing. You are commissioning personal, wearable blast furnaces."

She leaned forward, her professional demeanor now fully engaged, the challenge clearly invigorating her. "Standard enchantments for thermal resistance will be insufficient. We would need to delve into… more esoteric materials. Ashen Phoenix Down for its regenerative and heat-nullifying properties, perhaps woven with threads of refined Solarium Steel, known for its unparalleled melting point. Perhaps even incorporating scales from a Magma Salamander, if they can be ethically sourced and properly treated." She was thinking aloud, her mind already racing through possibilities, through ancient techniques and forgotten enchantments.

"This will not be merely 'tougher'," she continued, her gaze sharp. "This will be a masterpiece of defensive thaumaturgy and material science. The cost will be… astronomical. Far exceeding what you have presented." She gestured to his current pile of Jewel.

Katsuki didn't flinch. "I told you, I'll get more. Just tell me what it'll take." He was resolute. He needed this. He needed gear that wouldn't be a constant point of failure, a liability. If it meant taking on every high-danger, high-reward job on Fairy Tail's board for the next month, so be it.

The head tailor nodded slowly, a newfound respect in her eyes. This wasn't just youthful arrogance; this was a serious, if terrifyingly powerful, individual with very specific, very extreme needs. "Very well, Bakugo-san. I will begin drafting designs and sourcing the necessary components. It will take time, considerably more than your previous order, given the rarity and complexity of what you require." She paused. "And I will require a substantial upfront deposit to even begin acquiring such materials."

Katsuki met her gaze without blinking. "How much?"

She named a figure, a sum so large it would have made most seasoned adventurers balk, enough to buy a small estate or fund a major expedition.

Katsuki didn't even hesitate. He pushed his current earnings across the counter. "That's a down payment. I'll bring you the rest. How long?"

The tailor considered. "If the stars align and the material suppliers are cooperative… perhaps two weeks for the primary components to arrive. Another week for the enchanting and assembly, assuming no… unforeseen complications with energies of the magnitude you describe." She gave him a pointed look. "This is an unprecedented undertaking, Bakugo-san. We are venturing into uncharted territory in wearable protective enchantments."

"Three weeks," Katsuki grunted. It was longer than he liked, but for gear that could potentially withstand even a fraction of his full power, it might be worth it. "Fine. But it better be worth every damn Jewel. And it better be ready."

"It will be, Bakugo-san," the head tailor said, a glint of fierce professional pride in her eyes. "It will be a testament to Heart Kreuz's skill, or it will be my professional ruin. Either way, it will be… memorable."

With the terms agreed upon, and a significant portion of his Land Shark earnings already committed, Katsuki left Heart Kreuz with a new, even more daunting financial goal, but also with the grim satisfaction of having set in motion the creation of attire truly worthy of his explosive power. The next three weeks were going to be busy. He had a lot of monsters to hunt, and a lot of Jewel to earn.

Just as Katsuki was about to turn and leave, a thought, surprisingly considerate for him, and heavily influenced by his grudging acceptance of Makarov's 'family' talk, surfaced. He paused, his hand on the door, and looked back at the head tailor, his expression still fierce but with an undercurrent of something less abrasive.

He cleared his throat, the words feeling awkward, almost foreign on his tongue. "Oh, and… this…" He gestured vaguely, encompassing their discussion of ultra-durable, heat-resistant materials and advanced enchantments. "…this'll also improve how you build armor for my… f-fri-end…" The word 'friend' practically choked him. He stumbled over it, his face flushing slightly, a rare sight. He quickly corrected himself, latching onto the more formal, impersonal title he'd heard others use. "…Titania… right? That red-headed woman. Erza."

He wasn't doing it for her, he told himself. It was just… a practical observation. If they were developing these advanced techniques for him, then surely it would benefit their other high-powered clients. It was a logical, almost transactional thought, not a sign of burgeoning camaraderie. Definitely not.

The head tailor, who had already turned back to her drafting table, paused, her pen hovering over the parchment. She looked up at Katsuki, a flicker of surprise in her usually unflappable eyes. This was an unexpected addendum to their intense, technically focused negotiation. A consideration for another? From this young man?

"Indeed, Bakugo-san," she replied, her tone carefully neutral, though a hint of shrewd understanding touched her lips. "The knowledge gained, the materials sourced, the innovative enchanting techniques we will undoubtedly have to develop to meet your… unique requirements… yes, such advancements would inevitably benefit our entire repertoire. Particularly for clients like Lady Erza Scarlet, whose needs for durable and magically potent armors are well-documented." She gave a slight, almost imperceptible nod. "Any breakthroughs in the field of extreme defensive enchantments would certainly be applicable to her future commissions. Your… specific challenges will push the boundaries of our craft, and those boundaries, once expanded, benefit all."

Katsuki grunted, satisfied with the answer. It made sense. It wasn't charity; it was… synergistic development. Yeah, that sounded about right. He nodded curtly and finally pushed the door open, striding out into the bustling streets of Magnolia, his mind already calculating how many high-level subjugation quests he'd need to complete to amass the fortune required for his new gear.

Unbeknownst to Katsuki, concealed in the shadowed alcove of a building directly across the street from Heart Kreuz Tailoring, Erza Scarlet had been observing the entire exchange. She hadn't intended to spy, not exactly. After hearing from Mirajane that Katsuki was heading back to the tailors with his ruined clothes, a professional curiosity, and perhaps a touch of concern about how he'd handle the notoriously unflappable (and expensive) artisans of Heart Kreuz, had prompted her to follow at a discreet distance.

She had witnessed his demanding posture, seen the demonstration of the tiny, terrifyingly hot azure flame, heard the astronomical figures being discussed. She'd seen his unwavering determination to acquire gear that could withstand his almost unimaginable power, his willingness to undertake whatever tasks necessary to fund it. It was all very… Bakugo.

But then, his final comment, the hesitant, almost choked-out mention of "friend… Titania… Erza," had caught her completely off guard. Her eyes, usually so sharp and focused, widened almost imperceptibly. Her breath caught in her throat.

He… he had thought of her? In the midst of his own extreme needs, he had spared a thought for how this might benefit her armor? The word 'friend,' however awkwardly delivered and quickly retracted, echoed in her mind. It was such a small thing, a fleeting, almost throwaway comment, yet coming from someone as fiercely independent and aggressively self-centered as Katsuki Bakugo, it felt… significant. Monumental, even.

A warmth, unexpected and unfamiliar in this context, spread through Erza's chest. She, who was accustomed to commanding respect and inspiring awe, who was Titania, Queen of the Fairies, felt a flicker of something akin to… being touched. It wasn't a grand gesture, not a declaration of loyalty, but a tiny, almost grudging acknowledgment of a shared connection, a nascent camaraderie forged in the chaotic crucible of Fairy Tail.

A rare, soft smile, genuine and unreserved, graced Erza's lips. She watched Katsuki's retreating figure, his shoulders set with a new, even more daunting purpose. He was still a walking explosion, a tempest of rage and power. But perhaps, just perhaps, beneath all that fire and fury, there was indeed a heart capable of something more than just destruction.

She turned away from her observation post, her own steps a little lighter. The Master had been right. Fairy Tail had a way of wearing down even the most formidable defenses, both literal and emotional. And Katsuki Bakugo, for all his bluster, was proving to be no exception. The path ahead would still be fraught with challenges, but today, Erza had seen a glimpse of a different kind of strength in him – the kind that, however hesitantly, began to reach out, even if only by suggesting a benefit for a… friend.

---

Katsuki returned to the Fairy Tail guild hall with the grim determination of a man on a mission, albeit a very expensive one. The encounter at Heart Kreuz had solidified his immediate future: a relentless cycle of monster subjugation and Jewel acquisition. He was famished again; the earlier meal felt like a distant memory after the intensity of his negotiations and the sheer mental effort of contemplating astronomical sums of money.

He strode to the bar, where Mirajane was, as always, a beacon of calm efficiency amidst the usual afternoon hubbub. "Oi, Mira," he said, his tone abrupt but lacking its usual aggressive edge; he was too focused on his impending financial burdens. "Food. Lots of it. Put it on my tab. I'll clear it after the next job." He didn't have time to quibble about payment upfront when his stomach was staging a rebellion.

Mirajane smiled warmly, unfazed by his directness or the concept of a tab. Given his proven earning power, she had no doubt he'd make good on it. "Of course, Bakugo-san. What would you like? We have a rather excellent dragon-pepper steak today, if you're feeling adventurous."

"Whatever's fastest and fills me up," Katsuki grunted, already turning his attention to the Request Board, his eyes scanning for high-yield targets even before the food arrived.

Mirajane, however, also noted his attire. He was still in the simple cotton pajamas from the infirmary. While clean, they were hardly suitable for a mage of his… caliber, nor were they likely to offer any protection whatsoever on a dangerous job. She also knew, from his earlier pronouncements, how much he valued functional, durable gear.

With a discreet nod to one of an younger guild members to fetch Katsuki's order, Mirajane made a quick decision. While he was engrossed in the Request Board, she slipped away for a moment, returning with a neatly folded set of clothes. They weren't the ultra-durable, custom-enchanted gear he was aiming for, but they were sturdy, practical, dark-colored work clothes – a reinforced canvas jacket, durable trousers, and a simple tunic – the kind of basic but reliable attire many Fairy Tail mages wore for everyday jobs when not utilizing their specialized magical armors.

When Katsuki's meal arrived – a massive platter piled high with roasted meat, vegetables, and bread – Mirajane placed the folded clothes beside it. "Here you are, Bakugo-san," she said, her smile gentle. "Something a little more suitable for your upcoming… endeavors. Consider it an advance on your next successful quest. We can add it to your tab."

Katsuki looked from the food to the clothes, then back to Mirajane, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. He hadn't asked for this. He opened his mouth, probably to refuse, to insist on paying for it himself immediately, but the aroma of the hot food and the practical, no-nonsense look of the clothes seemed to short-circuit his usual prickly pride. He was hungry, and he needed something to wear that wasn't pajamas if he was going to launch himself into another monster-infested hellhole.

He grunted, a sound that could have meant anything, but he didn't refuse. He simply started attacking the food with a focused intensity, his gaze already drifting back to the Request Board between mouthfuls. Mirajane just smiled, understanding that this was as close to acceptance, or perhaps even gratitude, as she was likely to get from him at this stage. The clothes were practical, a necessity, and framing it as part of his tab made it more palatable for his stubborn independence.

As he ate, his crimson eyes devoured the listings. He needed jobs that paid well, jobs that were challenging enough to be worth his time but not so catastrophically dangerous that he'd risk another near-death experience before his new super-armor was ready. He mentally filtered out the lower-paying bounties, the escort missions, the requests that sounded more tedious than threatening.

His gaze lingered on a cluster of subjugation requests from a remote mountainous region known as the 'Gargoyle Peaks.' Multiple sightings of aggressive, oversized gargoyle-like creatures that were disrupting trade routes and attacking travelers. The pay for each was substantial, and taking on several in the same region would be efficient. It sounded like a good combination of risk and reward, something his current Quirk-focused combat style, augmented by his refined control, could handle without needing to resort to his more draining Incinerate magic.

He finished his meal with a speed that would have impressed even Natsu, wiped his mouth on the back of his hand, and stood up. He picked up the new set of clothes Mirajane had provided. They weren't his custom gear, but they were a hell of a lot better than pajamas. He'd change, then he'd take those Gargoyle jobs. The fortune required by Heart Kreuz wasn't going to earn itself. The cycle continued.

Katsuki emerged from the back room where he'd changed, now clad in the sturdy, dark work clothes Mirajane had provided. They fit reasonably well, offering a good range of motion, and felt infinitely more practical than the infirmary pajamas. He gave a curt nod in Mirajane's direction – his version of thanks – then, without grabbing any specific requests from the board yet (he'd memorized the Gargoyle Peak locations), he was already a blur of motion heading for the guild doors.

The other guild members, who were becoming somewhat desensitized to his abrupt, high-energy departures, barely had time to register his change of attire before he was out the door.

This time, however, his launch was different. He didn't just rely on the raw, concussive force of his Quirk-powered Turbo Cluster. As he crouched outside, a look of intense concentration on his face, he began to experiment with a new application of his refined control, a fusion of his Quirk's explosive output and the subtle manipulation he'd learned from his 'Explode' magic.

He envisioned it: not just large blasts propelling him, but a continuous, almost imperceptible series of micro-explosions erupting all over the surface of his body, specifically from his sweat pores. His 'Explode' magic wouldn't be the primary fuel for these micro-blasts, but it would act as a deterrent, a precisely controlled outward pressure field, projecting the nitroglycerin-like sweat slightly away from his skin before ignition. This would create a near-frictionless cushion of rapidly expanding gases, a propulsive sheath that would, in theory, allow for incredibly high-speed, efficient travel with minimal air resistance.

It was a complex, delicate balance, requiring immense concentration and a level of control over his Quirk and nascent magic he wouldn't have thought possible even a few days ago. The air around him began to shimmer, not with the intense heat of his Incinerate mode, but with a thousand tiny, almost invisible flickers of orange light, like a swarm of angry fireflies enveloping him. A low, continuous hum, punctuated by a series of almost inaudible, rapid-fire pffts, replaced the usual deafening roar of his takeoffs.

Then, with a grunt of focused effort, he pushed.

The result was astonishing. He didn't so much launch as accelerate, smoothly and with breathtaking speed. There was no violent upward shove, no jarring G-forces. He simply arrowed into the sky, a dark streak cutting through the air with an almost eerie silence, leaving behind only a faint shimmer and the barest whisper of displaced wind. He was faster than his standard Quirk-powered flight, perhaps even rivaling the raw velocity of his Incinerate-Turbo Cluster, but with a terrifying, almost silent grace.

He adjusted his trajectory towards the distant Gargoyle Peaks, the micro-explosions rippling across his skin, a perfectly controlled, self-contained propulsion system. A savage grin of triumph stretched his lips. This… this was a whole new level of aerial mobility. He was a human rocket, encased in his own personal, frictionless explosive aura. The gargoyles wouldn't even hear him coming.

Back in the Fairy Tail guild hall, the few members who had witnessed his departure were left staring, slack-jawed.

"Did… did you guys see that?" Alzack Connell, one of the guild's gunslinger mages, stammered, his hand hovering near his holster as if by reflex. "He just… slid into the sky. No big boom. Just… whoosh."

Bisca, his wife and fellow gunslinger, nodded slowly, her eyes wide. "It was… quiet. Too quiet for Bakugo. And incredibly fast. What kind of new technique was that?"

Mirajane, who had watched from the doorway with a thoughtful expression, murmured, "He's evolving again. It seems every challenge, every setback, only pushes him to find new, more terrifying ways to utilize his power." She smiled faintly. "He certainly keeps things interesting."

The legend of Katsuki Bakugo, the explosive enigma of Fairy Tail, continued to grow, fueled by each new, unbelievable display of his ever-expanding, ever-terrifying capabilities. The Gargoyle Peaks were in for a very rude, very fast, and very explosive awakening.

---

As the faint shimmer of Katsuki's near-silent, high-speed departure faded from the Magnolia sky, the massive doors of the Fairy Tail guild hall creaked open with a familiar groan, admitting two figures who had been absent for the past week. Gajeel Redfox, the Iron Dragon Slayer, strode in with his usual heavy-booted swagger, his long black hair swaying, a collection of metal piercings glinting in the light. Perched on his shoulder, looking as stoic and unimpressed as ever, was his Exceed partner, Pantherlily.

Gajeel took a deep breath, inhaling the familiar scents of ale, food, and chaos. "Gi hi. Good to be back. Any decent fights break out while I was gone?" he drawled, his gaze sweeping the hall.

Pantherlily, his arms crossed, added in his deep, formal voice, "Indeed. One hopes the structural integrity of the guild hall has remained relatively intact during our mission."

Their return initially went unnoticed by the small cluster of mages still discussing Katsuki's latest departure. However, as Gajeel made his way towards the bar, he overheard snippets of their conversation: "…incredibly fast… no sound… just vanished…"

His brow furrowed. "Oi. What's all this about someone vanishin' silently? Sounds boring. Who're ya talkin' about?"

Alzack turned, surprised. "Gajeel! Pantherlily! Welcome back! You just missed him. The new guy, Bakugo."

"Bakugo?" Gajeel repeated, the name unfamiliar. "New guy? Since when? And what's so special about him being quiet? Thought this guild thrived on noise."

A chorus of voices immediately chimed in, eager to bring the Iron Dragon Slayer up to speed on the whirlwind arrival and subsequent exploits of Katsuki Bakugo.

"You wouldn't believe it, Gajeel!" Max Alors exclaimed. "He showed up a few days ago, literally dropped out of the sky in a series of explosions!"

"And he's unbelievably strong!" Laki Olietta added, her eyes wide. "Took on three monster subjugation jobs his first day, including a Rock-Scaled Wyrm, and finished them before lunch!"

"Then he nearly killed himself with some insane mega-explosion out at Lake Sciliora!" Warren Rocko chimed in, looking pale at the memory. "The Master said he's from another world entirely, one with 'Quirks' instead of magic, though he seems to have picked up magic too now!"

"And his explosions can be blue!" Droy from Team Shadow Gear added excitedly. "Like, super-hot blue fire! He melted a mountain!" (A slight exaggeration, but the sentiment was there.)

Gajeel listened, his initial boredom transforming into a grudging interest, then into a distinct, predatory glint in his red eyes. Another world? Quirks? Explosions that could be blue and melt mountains? A guy who nearly killed himself with his own power and then went right back out on a job after only a day's rest?

"Gi hi hi," Gajeel let out a low, rumbling laugh, a sound like iron grinding on iron. His teeth, sharpened and metallic, flashed in a grin. "Sounds like my kinda lunatic. Explosions, huh? Wonder how they stack up against good old iron."

Pantherlily, ever the pragmatist, stroked his chin thoughtfully. "A being of such volatile power, hailing from another dimension… His integration into the guild will undoubtedly be… eventful." He looked at Gajeel. "Perhaps it would be wise to observe him carefully before, shall we say, initiating any 'welcoming brawls'."

Gajeel just grinned wider. "Observe? Sure. I'll observe him real close. Preferably while he's tryin' to blow me up, and I'm poundin' him into scrap metal. Gi hi!" The prospect of a new, powerful rival, especially one with such a destructive reputation, was clearly invigorating to the Iron Dragon Slayer. Katsuki Bakugo's name was now firmly lodged in his mind, a target for future… interaction.

Meanwhile, miles away, Katsuki had arrived at the Gargoyle Peaks. The mountains were a jagged, foreboding range, their peaks carved by wind and time into grotesque, leering faces, giving them their name. The air was thin and cold, and a biting wind whistled through the crags.

His new frictionless flight method had been a resounding success, delivering him to the remote location with unprecedented speed and stealth. He now hovered silently near one of the highest, most treacherous peaks, where a large nest of the gargoyle creatures was rumored to be.

He could see them now – at least a dozen of the oversized, stone-skinned beasts, perched on ledges and outcrops, their leathery wings occasionally twitching, their glowing red eyes scanning the surrounding skies. They were larger and more menacing than he'd anticipated, their claws like obsidian daggers.

He recalled the AP Shot, his armor-piercing focused blast. With his Quirk, it was a concentrated burst of explosive force. With his Incinerate magic, it was a searing beam of azure energy. Now, he wondered… could he combine the frictionless sheath principle with the AP Shot for a Quirk-based attack that had unparalleled penetration and speed, without the massive heat signature of his magic?

A wicked grin spread across his face. Time for another experiment.

He focused, generating the micro-explosive sheath around his right arm, feeling the almost imperceptible hum of the contained detonations. Then, he channeled a massive, concentrated burst of his Quirk's power into his palm, shaping it into a tight, needle-like point, just like a standard AP Shot. The key was to maintain the frictionless aura around the projectile itself as it launched.

"Frictionless AP Shot!" he yelled, more out of habit and for his own satisfaction than for any audience.

He thrust his palm forward. Instead of a roaring blast, there was a sharp, almost silent hiss, like a hyper-compressed gas release. A thin, almost invisible streak of pure kinetic force, wrapped in that shimmering frictionless aura, lanced out from his hand with absolutely blinding speed. It was faster than any projectile he'd ever launched, Quirk or magic.

The Frictionless AP Shot struck one of the largest gargoyles squarely in its stone-like chest. There was no fiery explosion on impact, no wide spray of debris. Instead, the gargoyle simply… shattered. A perfectly round, fist-sized hole appeared through its torso, as if it had been punched out by an invisible, unstoppable force. The creature didn't even have time to screech before it crumbled into a cascade of stone fragments, tumbling silently down the mountainside.

Katsuki stared, his crimson eyes wide with a savage delight. "Holy… That's… that's even better than I thought!" The speed, the penetration, the sheer, silent efficiency of it… it was a killer. A perfect assassination tool, if he ever needed one.

The other gargoyles, startled by the sudden, inexplicable demise of their comrade, began to shriek and take to the air, their red eyes darting around, searching for the unseen attacker.

Katsuki just smirked. They wouldn't find him until it was too late. This new technique, born from his relentless drive to innovate and his increasingly sophisticated understanding of his own powers, was about to make the Gargoyle Peaks a very quiet, very empty place.

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